Interview with Whitney Brown, August 14, 2020

Interview Summary

This is the first of two interviews conducted with Whitney Brown for the Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project. [Part two available here] Whitney Brown studied at Virginia Commonwealth University for her B.A. in sociology and criminal justice and at SUNY/Binghamton for her M.A. in social work. She had 10+ years of work experience with non-profits engaged in social services for youth and families, supporting individual needs to macro level policy work. Whitney’s passion for assisting the marginalized made Peace Corps a natural fit. The seven-month application process was particularly stressful. She accepted her first choice of Botswana, working in youth development. Pre-Service Training provided the foundation to continue learning during service. She was assigned to a middle school in Kanye, 45 minutes from the capitol. She worked with the guidance counselor presenting a life skills program for students. She created a supplemental program providing support and resources for students struggling academically. Whitney’s Botswana catchphrase became, “I am me because of we.” She discusses her evacuation because of COVID-19. Whitney also talks about diversity in the Peace Corps as an African American Volunteer.

Interview Keyword

Botswana (Country of service) 2019-2020 (Date of service) Virginia Commonwealth University State University of New York at Binghamton Social justice Role models Human rights Dominican community Social workers Spiritual pull Application stress Middle schools Youth Development Vegan Kanye, Botswana Lessons learned Accomplishments Evacuation Diversity Diversity in the Peace Corps Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Youth in Development Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) #covid19

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Botswana Peace Corps (U.S.)--Botswana COVID-19 (Disease) Acculturation Communication and culture Culture Culture shock Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations Interpersonal relations and culture Language and culture Language and languages Lifestyles Manners and customs Voluntarism Volunteers Minorities Race relations

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.